50 Best Restaurants in Washington Cascade Mountains and Valleys, Washington

Dig in to some of the tastiest and most flavorful barbecue in the state at this upbeat restaurant in a handsome 1923 brick building that has at various times served as the local bank, police station, and city hall. The chef-owner describes his barbecue as Cascadian, and his specialties do reflect some creative regional influences—consider the gochujang-marinated burnt ends with chanterelle mushrooms, pickled onions, and sour corn, or the roast-veggie salad with pulled pork and black-garlic ranch dressing. 

You'll find everything from thoughtfully curated artisanal groceries and prepared foods to a selection of creative contemporary American and international fare in the cheerful dining room of this stylish market in a retrofitted auto repair shop. Try the chilaquiles or croque madame at breakfast, and later in the day sample the salmon gravlax bagels and whole fried rainbow trout with grilled asparagus. Stock up on scones, cookies, and pecan sticky buns in the bakery.

Equal parts artisan coffee roaster and casual-chic brunch room, this airy café on a busy downtown corner stands out for both the quality and creativity of its food and drink. Highlights on the food side include the toast with balsamic rainbow beets and Humboldt Fog goat cheese; notable sippers range from a ginger-turmeric latte to local-blueberry mimosas.

Arguably the best restaurant inside the bustling 222 Market food hall, and one of the top dining destinations in the city, this beautifully designed contemporary seafood restaurant with a marble-top bar and striking oyster-shell chandeliers is a winning choice for anything from a snack of oysters on the half shell to a grand feast. Consider sharing a couple of starters—maybe charred carrots with white-bean hummus and local mussels, before diving into more substantial dishes, like whole Dungeness crab with brown butter, lemon, and capers.

Murals of tropical flowers and, of course, massive ferns decorate the softly lighted, sunny dining room of this superb restaurant in the heart of downtown Bellevue, which serves some of the best Thai food in greater Seattle. Specialties include Gai Tod Hat Yai, a deep-fried marinated half-chicken served with a panang curry dipping sauce and roti bread, and salmon grilled and served over a rich coconut curry sauce with eggplant and green beans. 

Set in a dramatic 1920s downtown building with exposed rafters, big skylights, and plenty of seating, this accomplished third-wave coffeehouse is an inviting place to linger over a latte or cold brew. It's also one of Everett's best breakfast and lunch options, featuring choices like ricotta toast and bacon-brussels sprouts salads. There's a second location in Bellingham.

On a breezy, sunny day, it's hard to find a more inviting spot for lunch or dinner than the deck of this upscale farm-to-table restaurant overlooking the pleasure boats chugging along downtown La Conner's Swinomish Channel. Whether you dine inside or out, expect a menu of stellar Pacific Northwest fare, perhaps lightly fried local oysters with lemon aioli to start, followed by a bone-in Kurobuta pork chop with stone-ground mustard demi-glace. 

A couple of blocks from the river on a bluff with expansive views of the village, this homey restaurant with a rustic dark-wood interior serves superb seafood, including clams steamed in white wine with smoked tomatoes and bacon, and seared sea scallops with creamed-leek risotto. There are also always a few well-prepared French-inspired classics, such as baked escargots and dry-aged rib eye with confit potatoes and foie gras–anchovy butter. 

The first thing you notice inside this bustling tavern and hot-dog joint are the dozens of beer taps hanging from the ceiling, each one representing a particular ale that's been poured here. Indeed, this quirky spot is a must for beer lovers, with plenty of interesting varieties on tap and available by the bottle, but it's the dogs and brats that set Red Hot apart. The kitchen serves up the classics, like a Chicago-style beef dog topped with mustard, relish, and celery salt, as well as unusual versions, like the Hound Dog, which is slathered in peanut butter and crowned with crispy bacon. Vegan dogs are served, too.

Just across Port Washington Narrows (via the Manette Bridge) from downtown, this unassuming, almost industrial-looking space is helmed by James Beard Foundation award semi-finalist Matt Tinder, who draws folks from throughout the Puget Sound region with his artisan baked goods. Breads, sandwiches, and sweets are all exquisite, including harissa-tofu sandwiches, Swiss herb quiche, and coconut tropezienne (a flaky brioche with coconut custard filling).  Because Saboteur produces different breads and sweets depending on the day, it's best to phone ahead if you're craving a particular item.

This bustling, casual spot along Tacoma's colorful 6th Avenue strip serves remarkably authentic and absolutely delicious soul food. In the morning, regulars swing by for heaping plates of chicken-fried steak with grits and eggs, or homemade biscuits and gravy. Later, move on to fried catfish strips with a side of hush puppies, Texas-style hand-trimmed brisket, and hot-links sandwiches. Dinners come with corn cakes and lots of tasty sides. 

Reasonably priced pastas and pizzas with local and seasonal ingredients, expertly crafted cocktails, a large covered sidewalk seating area, and a convenient downtown location are the hallmarks of this casually hip trattoria. Menu highlights include squid ink mezze maniche pasta (a ridged, tube-shape pasta) with shrimp, clams, pancetta, and chiles in white wine sauce, and the starter of house-made pork-beef meatballs with focaccia. 

This hillside neighborhood tavern just south of downtown doesn't look like much from the outside, but it's an appealing option for lunch (or weekend brunch), dinner, or cocktails, as the drinks selection is extensive and the affordable food—from tacos to tofu—far exceeds typical pub grub. Favorites include crispy pork-belly tacos with apple-cabbage slaw and tart cherries, Moroccan-style quinoa salad with harissa-agave vinaigrette and seared tofu, and a commendable Reuben on rye bread. For brunch, fill up on chorizo Benedicts or the dangerously decadent "hangover homies"—home fries topped with melted cheese, scallions, two fried eggs, and spicy cheddar sour cream.

The spacious, high-ceilinged downtown branch of this local chain is steps from the Museum of Glass and other attractions. It's a great place to kick off the day with a well-crafted espresso drink and breakfast sandwich, or linger later in the day over a naan flatbread pizza.

Tucked into chic Marina Village, this handsome waterfront outpost of the popular Washington-based seafood chain has large windows opening on to a panorama of Port Gardner Bay. The specials, which change daily, might include meaty Dungeness crab, wild chinook salmon, and other sea creatures caught just offshore. Desserts are fabulous, especially those crafted from the state's succulent berries and fruits.

It's all about the fresh and flavorful tacos at this hip little tavern with exposed brick walls, a white tile and varnished wood bar, and a light-filled upstairs seating annex—oh, and the deftly poured cocktails. The hand-pressed soft tacos are available in about 10 flavors, both meat and veggie, and are served with house-made salsas. 

At this deliberately rustic waterfront eatery with impressive water views, diners share a casual, seaside camaraderie as they slurp up clam chowder, steamed clams, and mussels, plus larger plates of creatively prepared seafood grills and pastas—cioppino, chargrilled garlic prawns, and smoked-salmon linguine are some of the best bets. Sailors, who enjoy free boat moorage, arrive early for the popular weekend brunch.

An artificial cherry tree in full bloom rises over the brick-walled dining room of this superb ramen and cocktail bar on a historic block of downtown Everett. Warm your soul with a steaming bowl of vegetarian shoyu, pork tonkatsu, spicy miso, or seafood ramen. Tack on a couple of the tasty sides, like squid salad or pork belly buns.

Brightly painted alebrijes (carved wooden animal figurines) and folk art lend warmth and authenticity to this friendly Old Town restaurant and bar that specializes in the richly complex cuisine of Oaxaca as well as artisan mezcal. Start with a few antojitos (snacks), such as prawn ceviche, braised chicken tostadas, and molotes (potato and chorizo pastries), before moving on to a platter of pork in a fragrant red mole sauce or chili-cheese tamales.

A local favorite, this storefront bakery, with branches nearby in Anacortes and Mount Vernon, turns out heavenly pastries, plus big portions of breakfast and lunch fare. Lunches focus on fresh and creative salads, soups, and burgers; huge and hearty breakfasts may leave you with little need for lunch—the roasted-butternut-squash hash and migas are a couple of favorites. Buy goodies at the take-out counter for a picnic adventure.

You'll find some of northern Washington's tastiest Mexican food, from wild-cod ceviche to chicken in a 30-ingredient mole sauce, at this cheerful and unpretentious eatery that also specializes in made-to-order premium margaritas (try the smooth "top shelf" with Jimador Blanco tequila, lime juice, and agave nectar). There's another location in Mount Vernon.

This warmly lighted tavern in the historic North End operates under a clever and ambitious premise: every four months the kitchen unveils a new menu dedicated to the cuisine of a different region of the Americas or Europe, from Barcelona to Montreal to Argentina. To keep fans with less adventurous tastes happy, the restaurant maintains a number of noteworthy dishes on every menu.

Nestled beneath towering trees, this old-fashioned roadhouse with rough-hewn fir floors and knotty-pine walls is along the main road to Mt. Rainier. It's been a favorite lunch and dinner stop since it opened in the 1940s, and these days parkgoers still come by in droves to fill up on hearty, straightforward comfort fare, such as biscuits and gravy and chicken-fried steak and eggs in the morning, bacon-and-blue-cheese burgers at lunch, and wild Alaskan salmon with blackberry vinaigrette in the evening. The restaurant is part of a rustic inn with conventional rooms and cabins.

One of several popular seafood restaurants along Ruston Way, Duke's can be counted on to serve some of the freshest and most creative fare of the bunch—it's not just about the view here, although the tables on the patio offer dazzling panoramas of Commencement Bay. Chowder fans having a tough time deciding what to try might want to order the "full fleet" sampler, with small servings of clam, lobster, crab bisque, chicken-corn, and Northwest seafood varieties. Other notable dishes include the greens with crab cakes and Laura Chenel goat cheese, and pan-seared wild salmon with a balsamic-infused beurre blanc.

The 1907 brick building that once housed the horse-drawn fire-engine brigade is now a convivial pub that's filled with firehouse memorabilia. The hearty, eclectic comfort food—burgers, tacos, mac and cheese—are well-priced and tasty. The adjacent E9 brewery turns out a nice range of craft ales and serves creatively topped pizzas.

Set in the middle of the genial and hip Proctor retail and restaurant district on the city's north side (not too far from Point Defiance), this charming, affordable neighborhood spot focuses on regional Italian recipes. Regulars feast on traditional panfried zucchini with goat cheese and crostini, slow-roasted lamb over pappardelle noodles, seafood risotto, and thin-crust pizzas.

This long-running microbrewery and tavern in a slightly industrial section of downtown has a bustling, open dining room with mounted fish on the walls. It's a funky and fun standby for big portions of pub standards—nachos, smoked wild salmon platters, black-bean burgers, fish-and-chips, and a much beloved Mudshark Porter dark-chocolate cheesecake. The ales are well crafted—try the Winterfish Organic Seasonal Ale during the cooler months, or cool off with a light Organic Blonde Ale on a hot summer night.